From the day Donald J. Trump entered the race, this past election cycle followed a path from the most bizarre to the most corrupted in our history. If a website experienced the multilateral attacks this election suffered, it would have been taken down. Your bank would have notified you after one such intrusion into your account, cancelled your card and the unauthorized charges to it, and arranged for a new card to be issued. Our government knew these things and did nothing to head off what amounts to election theft.

By now, you know about all of this, of course. I am posting it for the record. Why was this information not released prior to Election Day? What can be done now? Must we live with a flawed election? How secure are we if a major adversary can influence our elections and install the candidate they prefer? If this were not presidential election, I would be tempted to go full Laurel & Hardy mode and say, “Now you’ve done it!” But it is not a movie. It is not TV. It is not reality TV. It is reality.

The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, rather than just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, according to officials briefed on the matter.

Intelligence agencies have identified individuals with connections to the Russian government who provided WikiLeaks with thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and others, including Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, according to U.S. officials. Those officials described the individuals as actors known to the intelligence community and part of a wider Russian operation to boost Trump and hurt Clinton’s chances.

“It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia’s goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected,” said a senior U.S. official briefed on an intelligence presentation made to U.S. senators. “That’s the consensus view.”

President Obama giving a speech in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday. He has ordered a comprehensive report on the Russian efforts.Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

WASHINGTON — American intelligence agencies have concluded with “high confidence” that Russia acted covertly in the latter stages of the presidential campaign to harm Hillary Clinton’s chances and promote Donald J. Trump, according to senior administration officials.

They based that conclusion, in part, on another finding — which they say was also reached with high confidence — that the Russians hacked the Republican National Committee’s computer systems in addition to their attacks on Democratic organizations, but did not release whatever information they gleaned from the Republican networks.

In the months before the election, it was largely documents from Democratic Party systems that were leaked to the public. Intelligence agencies have concluded that the Russians gave the Democrats’ documents to WikiLeaks.

Republicans have a different explanation for why no documents from their networks were ever released. Over the past several months, officials from the Republican committee have consistently said that their networks were not compromised, asserting that only the accounts of individual Republicans were attacked. On Friday, a senior committee official said he had no comment.

In the wake of a “soul-crushing” report on Russia’s meddling in the presidential election, Sen. Harry Reid has called for FBI Director James Comey to resign for allegedly withholding information on President-elect Donald Trump’s ties to Russia. Reid, who was a fierce opponent of Comey’s handling of Hillary Clinton’s email scandal, which many believe cost her the election, told MSNBC on Saturday that he believes the FBI knew all along that Russia was helping Trump and deliberately did nothing about it. “This is not fake news. Intelligence officials are hiding connections to the Russian government. There is no question,” Reid said.

Hyperbole? Think again. A foreign government may have determined the outcome of a presidential election. And not Canada or Costa Rica, but Russia: the United States’ chief historic adversary and an oligarchy ruled by a tyrant who has systematically taken away rights. Bombshells don’t come much bigger.

Oh, wait; yes they do. On top of all the above, leaders of one of our two political parties—I’ll let you hazard a guess as to which one—argued against letting the American public know about all this before the election, reportedly saying it would be too partisan. That’s not hardball politics. That’s a hair’s breath away from treason.

We all heard, I am sure, The Green Eggs and Ham reading. Until tonight, when Tammy Duckworth referred to it to Lawrence O’Donnell, I was unaware of this reprehensible remark by Ted Cruz as he closed out his faux-filibuster.

It is difficult to imagine an insult more searing, ignorance more abysmal, demagoguery cheaper and slimier, and a lack of patriotic respect for history more striking.

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz compared his 21-hour speech on the Senate floor against Obamacare to the infamous Bataan Death March that killed hundreds of American troops at the hands of the Japanese during World War II. Cruz was speaking Wednesday at the conclusion of his remarks thanking staff who stayed up through the night for his speech.

“Now in 31 minutes we will be concluded,” Cruz said. “I don’t want to miss the opportunity within the limited amount of time is imperative that I do, which is to thank the men and women who have endured this, this Bataan Death March. And I want to take a little bit of time to thank by name. I want to start by thanking the Republican floor staff and cloakroom. I want to thank Laura Dove for her fairness, for her dealing with crises and passions on all sides and for her effectiveness in the job. And this is an interesting occurrence to occur so early in her job and I thank her for her service.”

No number of apologies can alter the fact that these words came from his lips. Those words tell you all you need to know about Ted Cruz, his respect for our veterans, troops, and history, and his means to reach his goals. How revolting! How sorry a figure in our government.

Huma Abedin is Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, a post she has risen to after long years on Hillary’s staff having started as an intern when Hillary was FLOTUS. She is of Indian-Pakistani descent, but is an American (born here) with a pretty high security clearance. She is a Muslim-American married to a Jewish-American, former Congressman Anthony Weiner, and the mother of an adorable six-month-old boy, Jordan. She and Anthony recently gave a joint interview to People Magazine.

THE VILLAINS

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former presidential candidate, has bizarrely and persistently claimed that Huma has ties to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, the party from which newly inaugurated Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi resigned after being declared the winner of the election, and therefore is a mole within the State Department with access to America’s top diplomat.

In the warped universe where this American currently resides, there remains only one heroic person brave enough to save our beloved United States from secretly being taken over by a falafel-eating, Mecca-praying and Ramadan-fasting cabal of sinister Muslims duplicitously bent upon imposing Islamic sharia law upon our golden shores.

Nope, the hero of this story is not Jason Bourne. Her name is actually Michele Bachmann.

Not surprisingly, that paragon of truth in investigative bloviating, Glenn Beck (I shall spare you from looking at his picture. You know what he looks like), has supported Bachmann’s McCarthyesque campaign against the woman who, last summer, also via People Magazine, leaked, to everyone’s delight, the contents of Hillary Clinton’s bag: mesh zipper bags, hand sanitizer, Evian mineral water spray for her face because of the dry air on the plane where she lives. (Yes I did go running to Harmon’s and bought some. I had to ask for it, and the clerk turned to another clerk and asked why this stuff was going like hotcakes. Heh-heh – because Hillary Clinton – who has beautiful skin – uses it! Huma said so!)

So now here’s Huma – defenseless. Even her husband can’t really do anything for her, disgraced as he has been and the subject of his own rumors this week of resuming his mayoral run in NYC. AND THEN A HERO COMES ALONG!

John McCain took to the Senate floor today to discuss Huma Abedin—known variously for her work at the State Department under Hillary Clinton and for her marriage to sexting ex-congressman Anthony Weiner. Is McCain perhaps a People magazine subscriber, using his time in the chamber to congratulate Abedin on the charming family photo unveiled by the mag today?

Alas, no. McCain was defending Abedin against recent accusations made by Rep. Michele Bachmann that Abedin’s security clearance should be questioned due to alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. “I understand how painful and injurious it is when a person’s character, reputation, and patriotism are attacked without concern for fact or fairness,” McCain said according to prepared remarks. “It is for that reason that I rise today to speak in defense of Huma Abedin.”

McCain’s condemnation of Bachmann’s remarks was quickly echoed by fellow Republican heavy-hitters, Speaker John Boehner (honorably discharged because of a bad back after enlisting in the Navy during the Vietnam War), Senator ( and decorated Air Force veteran) Lindsey Graham, and the cherry on the castigate-Bachmann cake, her former campaign manager Ed Rollins whose remarks indicate that she struggles when attempting to deal with facts. From the other side of the aisle, Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison, also a Muslim-American, spoke out.

DeHoS accords all of these heroes Gold Medals of Decency. You guys rock!

As bagpipers played “Going Home” under summer’s blue skies Thursday, more than 100 city firefighters dressed in their formal blue uniforms, as well as friends and family, said goodbye to Vincent Albanese.

The retired New York City firefighter who worked rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center site died of cancer Saturday, just one day after Congress voted down a measure that would have…

The guys and gals went to “The Pile” for months. The fire burned until mid-February, yes, for FIVE MONTHS! They were there, every day, breathing that smoke. After the fire finally was extinguished, they continued, until the pile was no longer a pile.

Hillary Clinton, as a Senator, fought for medical care for these heroes. Who among us would have gone down there as they did? Daily, pulling the dead out of the rubble, clearing the rubble in all kinds of weather? Hillary fought for them, but no longer can. I remember the day she accepted Secretary of State publicly. There were moments when there was a catch in her throat, There were many moments when her face betrayed a sadness. I believe the necessity of leaving this battle behind her contributed to that sadness. So, yes! Thumbs up and kudos to Anthony Weiner for picking up the gauntlet and fighting for the unsung heroes of 9/11. We applauded them that day in September, as they drove DOWNtown, while refugees of the attacks limped uptown like so many refugees of Sherman’s attack on Atlanta. We must remember that they did what Hillary Clinton told US to do. They kept going. Every day. And MANY (900 +or-) have become seriously sick.

So the Homies, among us many who saw the towers burn in person, not on TV, applaud Anthony Weiner as he, too keeps going. We applaud J.C. at Team Hillary Clinton for his masterful video, as well! Let us never forget, and let us do the RIGHT thing!

Laura Bush’s new book has a picture of Dubya sitting across the table (maybe at Camp David) from Putin and raising his arms. According to Mrs. Bush, he was telling Putin to lift weights. Evidently, Putin took the advice leading to his current penchant for publishing odd he-man, calendar-like photos of himself that Rachel Maddow never fails to find. Despite his obviously enhanced strength, Hillary Clinton, who does not lift weights as far as we know, managed to wrangle an unscheduled audience out of him when she was in Russia in March.

But here is just the sort of thing that makes you want to bang your head against the wall, except that it’s your head, so that is not a good idea. According to this Washington Postarticle By John B. Bellinger III, Without White House muscle, treaties left in limbo, the White House is racking up a really lousy record for pushing ratification of treaties.

Snip

Despite the presence of 59 Democrats, the Senate has approved only one treaty (a tax agreement with France) during the 112th Congress.

Snip

Even if the Senate approves START and several other bilateral tax conventions this year, the Obama administration will have presided over Senate approval of the smallest number of treaties during a two-year Congress in more than 50 years.

This is my issue. I spend every spare moment there is in my life, following and logging the tenure of one highly competent, super-diligent (not to mention bright-eyed, brilliant, cheerful, and adorable) Hillary Rodham Clinton at the State Department. If I could do that for a living , I would be a very happy camper. Unfortunately, I also need to hold down a full-time-plus job, but, trust me, I know what Hillary Clinton is up to. In a nutshell, she spends a great deal of time in the air, lands in exotic places, participates in countless summits, conferences, and a huge number of bilaterals, in addition to her signature outreaches to the general population everywhere she goes. So when I see that the White House is doing the worst job in half a century of supporting the tireless work of my Secretary of State, I am NOT a happy camper. I have witnessed this before.

In 2000, my Governor, Christine Todd Whitman (with whom I was not enchanted as Governor) was appointed by the Bush White House head of the EPA. She accepted, and was nice enough not only to present the President with his current best friend (whom I miss) that adorable little guy named Barney, but she also introduced him to the breeder from whom Dubya later purchased Ms. Beasley who is Laura Bush’s current BFF. This appointment set in motion, in the state of N.J. a remarkable effect. In Whitman’s absence, we had an Acting Governor (having no Lieutentant Governor at the time, the N.J. provision was that the President of the Senate acted as Governor). DiFrancesco was Acting Governor on 9/11, and he managed the situation very well, but the GOP in N.J. failed to back him in the next gubernatorial race. Jim McGreevy, who later became famous as a Gay American, was elected and lasted about two years until he announced his orientation and again we had a quite competent Acting Governor Codey. Fast forward two years and we elected Corzine who neglected to wear his seatbelt, launching Codey back into the State House, and now we are learning to live with another Christie, but this time it is his last name. That’s N.J. for ya!

Here’s the point. Christie Whitman would not have been Governor ad infinitum (thank heavens), but, having been drafted, she accepted and tried to serve. But the White House (HER ADMINISTRATION!) cut her off at the knees and she lasted only two-and-a -half years at the post. I am not saying N.J. would not have gone through these biennial transitions had she not accepted the EPA post, that could have happened anyway. Even though I was not a fan or supporter, I was insulted by the way her White House treated her. She gave that post an honest try, and they blocked her at every pass.

Similarly, if what Bellinger is saying in WaPo is true, I am insulted and angered for Hillary Clinton, for me (virtually shadowing her), and for the American people for whom this SOS works so hard. What? These treaties she is hammering out are NOT receiving White House support? You mean that in addition to being weak against BP in the Gulf Gusher situation, the White House is feeble in supporting treaties the SOS is bringing home? It is the gusher that needs capping, not the treaties!

Wow! I am reaching the point. It will not be long! That New START had better be supported and ratified, Hillary and Lavrov worked very hard to get that written. But further, what about the other treaties? I know my Hillary, and I can tell you she is like a little cobbler hammering these agreements out behind closed doors. The White House had better get behind her! I am looking at my watch.

(Seriously, she is working very hard. I love her too much to watch her keep driving herself the way she does if they are not going to support her. Hillary, let’s set a deadline. One more year. If they do not put some muscle behind you, resign and run. Please! PLEASE!!! WE’RE ALL READY FOR YOU!)
UPDATE: PCFS sent me this article which complements the WaPo one.

“First, let me underscore President Obama’s and my commitment to the Free Trade Agreement,” she told RCN Television. “We are going to continue to work to obtain the votes in the Congress to be able to pass it. We think it’s strongly in the interests of both Colombia and the United States. And I return very invigorated … to begin a very intensive effort to try to obtain the votes to get the Free Trade Agreement finally ratified.”

She also made an interesting point unofficially. To demonstrate that Colombia’s cities are now safe, she unexpectedly met up with her husband in the sleek northern half of the capital for cappuccinos and then a steak dinner, a move that delighted Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who explained that it showed how his capital has been transformed over eight years from a violent hellhole into a perfectly normal city where anyone can go out to dinner.

Both deeds were the right things to say and do, given the failure of the White House and its Democratic congressional allies to pass the U.S.-Colombia free trade pact.

But this won’t happen with even the best of just words — someone needs to be there in Congress making the effort to bring in the votes. Hillary Clinton, by her statement above, showed she knows this, but Obama doesn’t seem to realize that this is what it takes and has always taken to get a treaty to pass. He still hasn’t gone to bat for this pact.

If Obama can’t do it, maybe this is a task he could ask the former president to take on. The Man from Hope could play a powerful role in getting the Colombia treaty moving in Congress if he were asked, and given his interest in the country, it’s a mission he might be likely to accept.Read more>>>

Does Obama actually, like DO anything? Besides look for ass to kick? Oh, hey, why not kick some Congressional ass and get some treaties ratified? Nah! If he does ask Bill Clinton to do this, it will not be the “brilliant move” the author here conditionally accords Obama. It will be the desperate act of a completely ineffectual head of state. I will not use the term “leader” since daily he proves he is not one. Pathetic!

Hillary Clinton supporter, Candice Britt Britton, is running against the Democratic machine In Missouri’s District One, and she is reaching out to Hillary’s 18 million for support. Here’s a nice article about her. Please share this, if you see fit, with Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other friends as you can.

It takes grit, guts, and extraordinary determination to run against an incumbent, especially when he is occupying a dynastic seat, has WAY more money and backing, feels entitled, and is, well… a he. Right away, if you are a she, impecunious, and lack the media exposure, you are at a disadvantage. Well, Candice “Britt” Britton has all of those qualities ( and disadvantages) plus the passion and empathy for people that we all love in our Homegirl Hillary.

I have spotlighted Homegirl Britt Britton before, but it was just an introduction. Her story is inspirational, and now the campaign becomes a battle. As she explained to me in an email, there is a popular local TV show called “Donnybrook,” and the hosts commented that the incumbent (I will not link to his website here – you can google him) Lacy Clay had no real opposition. Britt has limited access to the internet, but she composed a letter to the hosts of Donnybrook that I am sharing with all the Homegirls and Homeboys. Visit Britt’s webpage and see who she is and what she is up against. She is a Hillary Clinton Democrat and worthy of our support.

Here is her letter to the hosts of “Donnybrook.”

To Ray and Bill and the Donny Brook Hosts,

I watch your show all the time my name is Candice “Britt” Britton and I am running for U. S. Congress District 01.

Judging by your comments on the April 1, 2010 show you all think my candidacy as a Democrat running against Lacy Clay is a lost cause. I am sorry you feel that way. Are you telling children and the disabled and regular citizens you can’t beat a career politician whose family has held the seat for 40 years? Are you telling me (a Democrat) and others there is no need to run? I am sorry you feel Lacy Clay has no real opposition. Are you saying non career politicians (citizens) on the outside of the political machines need not to apply? I take by your comments I don’t have your votes Mr. Clay does!

I am running for the U. S. Congress District 01 and my candidacy is no joke it is very real. I ask you to give my candidacy the same respect and chance as you give to Lacy Clay and his candidacy!

My name is Candice “Britt” Britton and I am running for U. S. Congress District 01 and I respectfully ask for your vote and support. Please visit my campaign site at www.candicebritton.com

The votes have not been counted yet. Please don’t discourage the constituents in District from going to vote. Why should anyone in District 01 go and vote if Lacy Clay has no real opposition and cannot be voted out of office?

Your words have influence and power!

Democratic Candidate
Candice “Britt” Britton

Candice “Britt” Britton is one of Hillary Clinton’s 18 million. She was not invisible to Hillary, and I am going to make sure she is not invisible to the voters of District 1 in Missouri in every way within my power! Please help viralize her candidacy. Visit her website. Contribute to her campaign if you can. Let’s give Britt a fighting chance for the people she so much wants to represent. Here is what she said in an email to me tonight.

I went to a fish fry this evening way up north in my district 01. When I introduced myself to the folks their eyes lit up and they poured their hearts out. As I looked into their eyes, their words “you have my vote” with a smile and a sparkle in their eyes filled my heart with love for them, and I don’t want to let them down. For me this campaign is truly for them, and I just pray I can go to Washington DC and be their voice!

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